Destiny and Fate so Late…
I’m surprised that Mists of Avalon is the first book that has fate as a part of the story (that I can recall). I’m referring specifically to the first few pages where Igraine is destined to give birth to Arthur with Uther. I always imagined the Arthurian legend being a direct result of destiny or fate. These terms are typically interchangeable, but if there is a huge difference, let me know. There is always some sort of sense of fate that I feel goes along with any King Arthur story that involves Merlin. If Merlin is not in the story, then neither is the feeling that Arthur was destined to be a great king. Even in the movie Excalibur, I got the feeling that Merlin knew that Arthur needed to be king. But Merlin was also shocked when Arthur knelt down in front of his enemy and asked to be knighted. So what purpose does foresight really serve if it doesn’t see all possibilities? How was it that Uther and Igraine were the perfect match to create this king that would create a kind of Utopia? Also, if it was known that Arthur would be a great king, how was it not seen that his kingdom would end in such ruins? And if it was known that Arthur’s kingdom would end as it did, what purpose does this serve in the historical sense, and the literary sense?
koricature wrote:
Those are some really good points. The only place I can remember fate playing such a large part of the Arthurian story would probably be in White. Towards the end of the “Sword in the Stone,” Merlin gives many hints that young Arthur will not be the squire he is ‘destined’ to be. The explain Merlin’s foresight as him actually living backwards; i.e., he is sad when Arthur meets him for the first time since for Merlin it will be the last time. Later in the story, when Arthur starts to get into trouble and needs Merlin, Merlin seems less wise and is more interested with running of with Vivian. Thus he is not there to help Arthur when he really needs it. Merlin also was very forgetful, and mentions something obscure about keeping an eye on his wife and friends. This makes it seem like the whole fall of the kingdom was all a colossal mistake by a forgetful (and thus absent) Merlin. Merlin doesn’t remember until later in his life (earlier in Arthur’s), and by then it is too late (early?) to do anything about it. I guess this is more mistake and coincidence than fate, but it’s the closest thing I can find. As to why Uther and Igraine was the perfect match, this is where the story element comes in, at least in my opinion. If we go by White, then Merlin knew what was coming and arranged that it be so. In a literary sense, I think much of it was just about chivalry and morals; God will create the situation that will bring back the benevolence in the world, and we should strive to meet this standard of before. Historically, the odd stories of Arthur’s conception mixed with the promise of a future return together have great nationalistic significance. He will come back when his people most need it, as it is fated to be.
Posted 11 Dec 2007 at 3:41 pm ¶